Tech-savvy Santa(s) bearing rich gifts (votes)

April 17, 2014 Brown Pundits Archive No Comments filed under Archived Authors

This is India after all…the wonder-land of the IT Parks…what else can one expect??
We now know why so many information-gurus have committed their precious time for this election. Their impeccable qualifications and sense of public service aside, it was also in the national interest to make sure that the Indian National Congress is pre-programmed to win.

Hats off to those (poor, illiterate,
low-information) fly-over-coastal voters who noticed that
their rights as citizens have been infringed and found the courage to protest.
Bravo!!!

Filed in the bitter-sweet news-bin for the intellectual class and the international press
….

Sindhudurg (Maharashtra), April 17 (IANS) A
malfunctioning electronic voting machine (EVM) reportedly “transferred”
all votes cast to the Congress candidate in Sindhudurg district here, in
the second incident of its kind Thursday.

The incident came to light when voters in Padve-mazagaon village
complained that when they pressed their chosen candidate’s button, only
the Congress light blinked.

Angry voters boycotted the elections for nearly three hours before
frantic election officials ordered a replacement EVM and resumed voting
around 1 p.m.

At least 68 voters claimed that their vote may have been wrongly
credited to Congress candidate Nilesh Rane contesting from the
Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency in the Konkan region.

A similar incident happened at a polling booth in Pune city when
voters found that whichever button was pressed on the EVM, only the
Congress light blinked.

Alert voters brought this to the notice of the election officials, who immediately stopped voting.

Voting resumed after a delay of nearly 90 minutes after a new EVM was acquired.

The Election Commission also permitted around 28 voters who had
already cast their votes in the malfunctioning EVM to vote afresh.

Political activists of all parties have demanded an extension of
voting hours by three hours in Sindhudurg and 90 minutes in Pune to
compensate for the time lost due to the defective EVMs.
….
Link: https://in.news.yahoo.com/defective-evms-transfer-votes-congress-maharashtra-101804553.html
…..
regards

Jamia Hafsa (Lal Masjid) builds a new shrine

April 17, 2014 Brown Pundits Archive No Comments filed under Archived Authors

We all need heroes…even if they are shipped in from foreign shores.
Also it is an incontrovertible fact that one man’s terrorist is another (wo)man’s freedom fighter.

Finally when a legend is born, it is not possible to kill it by getting rid of a mere man, that golden voice will continue to speak (and command) from beyond the grave and it will be resounding deep in our (faithful) hearts.

Jamia Hafsa, a religious school for women in the Pakistani
capital Islamabad connected to the notorious Lal Masjid has renamed its
library in honour of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The
seminary is run by controversial hardline cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz,
the imam of the city’s Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), once infamous as a
hideout for hardliners with alleged militant links.

Now the Jamia Hafsa seminary connected to it has
named its small library, stocking Islamic texts, in honour of bin Laden,
who masterminded the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

“It is
true that we have named the library after Osama bin Laden,” a source
told AFP Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He might be a terrorist for others but we do not consider him as a terrorist. For us he was a hero of Islam.”

A small printed sign stuck over the library door gives bin Laden’s name and refers to him as a “martyr.”
….
Link: http://www.dawn.com/news/1100526/lal-masjid-names-library-after-osama-bin-laden
….
regards

“Dad, don’t worry. I’ve got a life vest on…”

April 17, 2014 Brown Pundits Archive 1 Comment filed under Archived Authors

Even though it is really morbid, we have to admit that we laughed at that one. The fibs that our children tell us, in this case so that poor dad does not get to know how terrified his daughter actually is, texting while drowning in a dark boat, with mindless chaos all around you, and the bitter cold ocean as your last memories on earth.

Of course the subterfuge is of no use, we (as parents) would already be dead with worry and frozen with fear… and we would know that the kids are lying…and we will be forever grateful for those last words (texts).

The night-flares lighting up the sinking ship will remain one of the most beautiful/sad scenes that
we will experience (even if vicariously) over our lifetime.

It has of course happened before, for example with the last (Let’s Roll) 9/11 plane.
The people on the ground new in advance (via mobile) that their loved
ones were doomed…and there was nothing that they can do. Even
exchanging seats would not be an option.

The first prize should always be reserved (in our opinion) for the Beslan massacre which took place in North Ossetia (01 September, 2004). The Chechen/Ingush terrorists had cornered 1100 people including 777 children. Some
parents were given permission to leave with their (very small in age)
kids. It was well understood that the older kids would perish (as they
eventually did). There
was a mother with two daughters who had to leave one daughter behind.
The last thing the mother remembers is her (elder) daughter crying and
pleading with her.
….
“Dad, don’t worry. I’ve got a life vest on and we’re huddled together,”
one 18-year-old student, identified only by her last name, Shin, texted
her father, according to MBC News, a Korean news station.

The father replied: “I know the rescue is underway but make your way out if you can.”

“Dad, I can’t walk out,” she replied. “The corridor is full of kids, and it’s too tilted.”

The student was among the 287 still reported missing.

A boy texted his mother, who was unaware at the time that the ferry was in distress.

“Mom, I might not be able to tell you in person. I love you,” the student texted, according to MBC.

“Me too, son. I love you,” the mother texted back, followed with three heart symbols.

Fortunately, that student was among the 179 people who have been rescued, MBC reported.

A student texted his older brother as the ship ran into trouble. “The ship ran into something and it’s not moving. They say the coast guard just arrived.”

Brother: “Don’t panic. Just do what you are told to do and then you will be fine”.

But there was no further communication after that.

….
Another question on which we remain confused and will perhaps always be: Is it heroism or foolish courage to value everybody’s life above yours?

…
One crew member, named as 22-year-old Park Ji-Young, is said
to have lost her life while struggling to make sure passengers on the
upper floors of the ferry wore life jackets and found their way out.

“I repeatedly asked her why she did not first wear a life
jacket. Park just said she would get out of the ship after making sure
that all passengers were out,” a survivor told local media.

“Park pushed shocked passengers toward the exit even when the water was up to her chest.”

The Korea Herald reports that
she joined the ferry company in 2012 to earn money to support her
family. When her body arrived at hospital, the paper reports, her mother
cried: “I can’t believe you left us”
….
Link (1): http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/south-korea-ferry-survivors-recall-being-told-to-stay-on-ship-the-ones-who-stayed-are-trapped-9265314.html

Link(2): http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27045924
…
regards

17/7 Rajputs for 24/7 defense (against China)

April 17, 2014 Brown Pundits Archive No Comments filed under Archived Authors

The 17/7 Rajput regiment is in charge of guarding the North-Eastern (India) borders aka “undisclosed high-altitude location under Eastern Command”

Most of us are not really familiar with the (Indian) military and its ways. For example, is a Rajput regiment composed of only Rajputs (khatris)? Look deep and ye shall find.

The “barhe chalo” regiment was raised during the WWII by Field Marshall Cariappa and fought in the North-Eastern Frontier (Kohima, Nagaland on the Indo-Burma border) against the mighty battalions of the Japanese Imperial Army. They will now be prepared to defend the north-east frontier once more, this time against the mighty battalions of the People’s Liberation Army.
….
“Among all
battalions of the Rajput Regiment, 17 Rajput has a unique place in present day
history of the Indian Army. It was raised during the period of Quit India
Movement in 1942. It was also among 10 other Rajput Battalions that were raised
following outbreak of World War-II from 1940 to 1943.”

In so far as its historical significance is concerned, 17/7 Rajput as it was
then known, was the only ‘War Raising’ battalion by any Indian officer who was
none other than Lt col KM Cariappa, OBE, popularly called ‘Kipper’ who went on
to become the first Indian commander-in-chief and later the chief of army
staff. He was also conferred the highest rank of field marshal on April 28,
1986.

17/7 Rajput was raised at Fatehgarh on April 15, 1942 as the Machine Gun Battalion
of the erstwhile 7th Rajput Regiment. A distinctive colour of maroon and blue
was adopted for the new outfit. On August 1, 1942, the battalion was converted
into a Regiment of Indian Armoured Corps (IAC) and designated 52nd Rajput
Regiment IAC (Bawanja Risala) and moved to Lahore.

On September 15, 1942, the battalion was converted into a ‘Lorried Battalion’
and moved to Secunderabad to form part of 268th Lorried Brigade. On March 16,
1943, Kipper was transferred and succeeded by Lt Col G.B. Macnamara. In May
1944, 17/7 Rajput moved to Kohima and later deployed at Imphal.

Informed readers may know that Rajput Regiment is one among the senior most
regiments of our country. It must therefore, logically, rank higher in the
hierarchy of the nomenclatures. Then why the seventh standing? Evidently, Maj Gen Parr, who had commanded the 7th Rajput in Mesopotamia during
world war-I desired that the Regiment to which his battalion belonged be named
7th Rajput Regiment. The suffix ‘7’ was adopted and remained so for all
battalions of the Rajput Regiment between 1920 till Independence, where after
it was dropped altogether.

In the redesignations that followed, Barhe Chalo became 17th Battalion of the
Rajput regiment on May 1, 1948. Later when its founding father, Lt Gen KM
Cariappa became Army Chief on January 15, 1950 (commemorated as Army Day), an
honour was bestowed on the battalion. The distinct maroon and royal blue hackle
of the unit was now adopted by all Rajput Regiment battalions.

In 1965, Barhe
Chalo participated in Op Riddle as part of 7th Infantry Division, where it
successfully executed its task of capturing Bedian bridge. The unit also
participated in Op Cactus Lily in 1971 as part of 86 Infantry Brigade in Dera
Baba Nanak sector, where it captured Khokherke and Sadhuwan posts of enemy and
provided a firm base for Op Akal. The unit was also successful in capturing a
crucial enemy post for which Capt Nawal Singh Rajawat and Late Sep Satyawan
Singh were awarded VrC.

In 1982, the battalion underwent a change in class composition and reorganised
to include Rajputs, Gujjars, Brahmins, Bengalis, Jats, Ahirs and Muslims in
equal percentage composition.

The battalion was also the first unit of Rajput Regiment to be inducted in
Siachen Glacier in 1991. The unit had a successful tenure without having a
single fatal casualty, which indeed is a unique achievement.

Among the wars and major operations that Barhe Chalo participated include world
war-II, between May to August 1944, Indo-Pak War of 1965 between September 1965
to February 1966 and Indo-Pak War 1971, from October to December 1971. Among
the various military operations include Operatons Orchid, Rhino, Vijay, Rakshak
and Parakram.

Glory to the Barhe Chalo has been brought through its gallant officers and
soldiers through 2 Military Cross, an OBE and PVSM each, 7 Kirti Chakras, an
AVSM, 4 Shaurya Chakras, 3 Vir Chakras, 12 Sena Medals, 3 VSM, 6
Mention-in-Despatches, 38 COAS, 7 VCOAS and 33 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards
including several other gallantry certificates.

The battalion is presently serving at an undisclosed high altitude location
standing vigil under Eastern Command. The Barhe Chalo battalion is presently
being commanded by Colonel Balbir Singh Siwach, a second-generation army
officer, commissioned in December 1990.

…
regards